The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-07
EMILE lola.
A Visit to the Famous French Realistic An.
M Ris

tnOr AT Dis nome.
Paris Letter, in New York Nail and Express.
The author Of "LAssommoir" is a most COR
dial host and a uost agreeable acquaintance
confess that before meeting Emile Zola, pict-
ured him as divinity surrounded by admirers,
who, from time to time were allowed to kiss his
august slippers But, although the novelist
loves his friends, society general he detests.
He is literally dragged to a soiree and
when there he hides himself in corner
near the door, speaking only to those who
come to him, and watching his opportunity to
glide out unperceived His ped-a-terre, in the
Rue Ballu, formerly Rue de Boulogne, consists
of suite OF rooms mp several flights OF stairs.
These rooms filled with curious drawings,
blbelots, antique furniture, all in confusion,
that each room has the appearance of curiosity
shop On the wall of the study is Zolas por-
trait by the impressionisr Manet. The novelist
HAS large head. nose slightly retrousse.
strong mouth fine chin, dreamy, sad black eyes,
always half concealed by an eyeglass. and a very
high forehead. His shoulders almost a
level with his ears. His arms are close to his
body, and his coat is always tight buttoned, if
he feared 1t would escape from him.
Emile lola when induced to receive stranger
gives az most friendly welcome and a grasp of the
hand that can hardly be initiated The discus
sions ca used by the announcement that Zoa had
prepared 'sRenne" for the Vaudeville Theater
without the aid Of 3 collaboration had awakened
ny curioclsy, and decided to hear what the new
dramatst himself would say. Although Zola
would give very little information about
lOoOe6, US bdtk0U Willingly OF utfQSens OF dis
new novel. LA Terre," and of his views Oh
socialism. II have no doctrine; I do not
care for doctrines In my heart, how
ever, I am u Socialist for believe that
the next century will hardly have begun-nay,
that this century will not finish-before society
shall have been overturned. great social
movement is in preparation; let us hope that all
will be accomplished without violence. but
You ask from whence this revolution will comet
Not from Francs, 1 think; at least it will not
originate in France. Germany possesses the
most resolute Socialists in Europe, and"
''What of Russial"
'Nihilism belongs only to Russia, but the
Germans will make tremendous effort to free
themselves from their yoke and socialism is
contagion."
lis LA Terre' to be socastic work.
mo; but socialism has place in it, writer
composes unconsciously; he does not sit down to
his desk and say; Now am going to make
something realistic, socialistic,' but he does
what he can, uncors ciously follow his temporal
ment. No. in La Tfrre' examine the peasant
in four lights customs. religion, politics and
economy. That of customs. habits. is the most
difficult. for, if the peasant thinks himself OBJ
served, he hides. / do not speak Of violence, but
of slow crime, for the peasant is brutal.
ferocious. There are some peasants
who believe in religion, others who do not; those
who believe have for the foundation Of the doc
trine fear of eternal punishment The POSSIBLE
ity of torture inspires them with faith, but the
goodness of the peasant is always with the
strongest party. The great questions of the
day have no place in his life. The peasant
knows but one government. that which exists;
but one respect, that for the most powerful AS
to economy, see a whole country impoverished;
picture it; I see the effects of crisis re-
late them; 1 see ruin all abouE me; l tell the
unvarpished truth. l have cot very great
sympathy with the working CLASSES. COM
menced my own struggle with life at a verv
early age; / wrote while I was working for pit
lance in great publishing house Of this city;
wrote at q time when. if wanted threat. was
obliged to kill sparrows out of my Garret win
dows and what insults received, what injuries
suffered. Now l comparatively tranquil,
but have come through great tribulation. In
few days shall 60 to my country home at
Medan, for I remain in Paris only from the be-
ginning of January to the end of March. prefer
Medan'to Paris because there is railway sta.
ton and have no neighbors"